Vertical transmission of Rift Valley fever virus without detectable maternal viremia

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2013 Aug;13(8):601-6. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1160. Epub 2013 May 19.

Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic bunyavirus that causes abortions in domesticated ruminants. Sheep breeds exotic to endemic areas are reportedly the most susceptible to RVFV infection. Within the scope of a risk assessment program of The Netherlands, we investigated the susceptibility of a native breed of gestating sheep to RVFV infection. Ewes were infected experimentally during the first, second, or third trimester of gestation. Mortality was high among ewes that developed viremia. Four of 11 inoculated ewes, however, did not develop detectable viremia nor clinical signs and did not seroconvert for immunoglobulin G (IgG) or IgM antibodies. Surprisingly, these ewes were found to contain viral RNA in maternal and fetal organs, and the presence of live virus in fetal organs was demonstrated by virus isolation. We demonstrate that RVFV can be transmitted vertically in the absence of detectable maternal viremia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / veterinary*
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / mortality
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Rift Valley Fever / mortality
  • Rift Valley Fever / transmission*
  • Rift Valley Fever / virology
  • Rift Valley fever virus / isolation & purification
  • Rift Valley fever virus / physiology*
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / mortality
  • Sheep Diseases / transmission*
  • Sheep Diseases / virology
  • Viremia / veterinary

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral